Principal Ride Project Engineer

About Us

The Principal Ride Project Engineer is the leader of a multi-discipline Ride Engineering team for a project, and is responsible for delivering ride systems on time and on budget. We touch every aspect of ride system design & development from concept through testing and handover for a wide variety of innovative ride platforms that include requirements for unique duty cycles, high reliability, and inherent life safety. They must collaborate on diverse teams that include both technical and creative members, and be able to adapt in an environment where scope changes frequently.

Responsibilities/ You Will

• You will lead “clean sheet” concept design of innovative new Ride systems that meet Creative intent and requirements.
• Be the representative on the project core team; provide knowledgeable, accurate and timely information to the team
• Collaborate with Creative directors from high level experience/story descriptions and artwork; focusing on Creative intent and expectations.
• Support operating and maintenance partners to develop requirements
• Work directly with other technical subject areas to develop integration requirements and define interfaces.
• Proactively identify and obtain resources required to complete scope, and creatively mitigate risks
• We define scope and requirements for Ride team work assignments, provide direction and manage team performance to meet project needs
• Discuss Stakeholder needs when in opposition with other requirements, facilitate balanced decision making
• We complete the Ride Engineering Standard of Practice; recommend changes in existing procedures to improve value/efficiency!
• Handle the Ride team’s business interests; author design & implementation strategies, cost estimates, resource plans, cost controls and schedule landmarks
• Ensure engineering fundamentals are comprehensive and high quality; author ride strategy, risk list, scopes of work; author as needed system deliverables such as requirements specifications, hazard analysis, installation plans, test safety plans, test plans and test reports
• Ensure ride systems meet Disney standards, amusement industry standards and local regulations for safety, quality, durability and reliability.
• Lead technical design reviews, lead multiple safety processes
• We compile bid packages and contract documents, collaborate with the project procurement team to bid and award vendor contracts
• Serve as Responsible Individual (RI) for vendor and consultant contracts
• Identify and protect Disney and vendor intellectual property, consult with Disney Legal as needed
• Manage vendor design, fabrication and commissioning activities
• Lead site installation and testing work, facilitate turnover of the ride system to operations and maintenance
• Perform installation validation, confirm condition surveys, and conduct field testing for attraction systems, which may require use of active fall protection equipment, navigating construction sites with catwalks, ladders, scaffolding, lifts, and confined spaces
• We will collaborate on sophisticated "Blue Sky" initiatives & represent Ride Studio interests!
• Lead large scale scope and associated resources in multiple engineering fields
• Create and write project delivery strategies, technical specifications, scope documents, budgets, schedules, and staffing plans.

Basic Qualifications/ You Will Have

• Seven or more years of engineering professional experience, including responsibility for engineering design, analysis, production, installation and test; developing engineering scopes of work, budgets, schedules and resource plans; leading field installation and testing
• Experience as the leader of a technical team through the design and delivery process
• Demonstrated experience and skills in project management and vendor management
• Ability to delegate work and direct the work of engineers.
• Ability to effectively communicate with all levels of individuals within a project team, the Ride Studio, and the company
• Ability to work collaboratively within a large and diverse team environment
• Ability to form a team and work with a variety of disciplines, seniority levels, and personality types
• Hands-on experience with equipment mockups, prototypes, fabrication, assembly, installation and test
• Experience with life safety design/requirements of engineered systems
• Experience negotiating with collaborators and team members
• Experience with vendor management and contract management
• Experience with technical engineering issue resolution
• Experience leading the hazard analysis and system safety design process
• Engineering skill and experience related to complex machinery
• Working knowledge in modern engineering diciplines

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous amusement industry experience, with an emphasis on safety-related ride systems
• Knowledge of relevant Ride Engineering and industry standards
• Familiar with new/emerging technology and applications within the Entertainment industry
• Working knowledge of manufacturing and quality control processes
• Hardware knowledge and hands-on field installation and test experience
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally
• Willingness to work variable shifts and weekends as required.

Required Education

Bachelor of Science Degree in an applicable engineering field from an accredited university

Professional Engineering License in the state of Florida or the ability to secure a Florida license through endorsement.

Additional Information

• Disability accommodation for employment applications
• The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, email with your request. This email address is not for general employment inquiries or correspondence. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.
• The Walt Disney Company is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

Benefits and Perks

• Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide.

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